For the first time in 18 years, Hayden is 2-1 after three games.

The Wildcats defense only allowed 29 yards rushing on 21 carries and held Anniston to 109 yards for the night, as Hayden won by a 28-12 score.

Hayden took the opening kickoff and drove 73 yards for the touchdown by Blake Adams from three yards out. Tim Curry added the run for the two points to put the Cats up 8-0 with 4:48 remaining in the first quarter.

Seconds later, Adam Payne recovered a Bulldog fumble at the 39, and two plays later, Adams scored again on a 30-yard rumble to the end zone. He also ran in for the two point conversion with 3:09 left in the period.

Anniston’s Jeremy McCants ran in from 26 yards away to get the Bulldogs on the board early in the second frame. The 2-point run failed but Anniston had cut the lead to 16-6 with 11:52 remaining in the first half.

Hayden’s Josh Duncan intercepted a Bulldog pass at the five midway through the second quarter to stop a Bulldog drive.

In the third quarter, the game was delayed 30 minutes due to lightning.

Early in the final period, the Cats took control on a 5-yard run by Josh Duncan. The point-after kick failed, but the Cats had a 22-6 lead with 10:17 remaining in the game.

On Anniston’s next possession, Curry intercepted a pass near midfield. Then Shirley, who had 53 yards on seven carries for the game, ran in untouched from the 2 for Hayden’s final score on the night. The point after was blocked but Hayden had a commanding 28-6 lead with only 2:57 remaining.

The Bulldogs scored late on a 58-yard pass from Da’Monta Miller to Chris Beard. The try for two failed.

Hayden’s offense rolled up 296 yards rushing on 58 carries, led by Blake Adams with 181 yards on 28 carries and two touchdowns.

All but five of Anniston’s 109 total yards came on their two scoring plays.

Cody Colvin had six tackles for the Hayden defense, with two for losses, Jeremy Standfield had five tackles, one for loss, plus a fumble recovery. Shirley added five tackles, a fumble recovery and four pass break-ups. Payne had three tackles, one for loss, and a fumble recovery.

“I’m proud of the boys for not giving up after last week’s loss,” Cats coach Keith Register said. “The defense played outstanding, as did the offensive line, and Blake Adams had a great game.”

The win improves the Wildcats to 1-1 in the region while Anniston drops to 0-3 overall, 0-2 in the region.

Next week the Wildcats travel to St. Clair County to take on Moody, who were beaten 49-7 on Friday by Mortimer Jordan.

(By the way, the last time the Cats opened with a 2-1 record, they finished the season at 4-6.)